New Windows- is this a big problem?

[Patio]

Had new windows fitted about 9 months ago

The bay windows at the front have a kind of 30mm wide strip that covers the edge

Noticed today that this sticky strip is coming away and you can see the expanding foam underneath



We've emailed the guy that did them to see what he says

Not hopeful



Any input appreciated

[Cats_pyjamas]

Window fitting is a bit of a bodge generally tbh. The strip is just stuck on with silicone. I'd carefully remove (maybe with a scraper), clean it up and re adhere it on. Hopefully it doesn't break the silicone seal from frame to block work, else that may need redoing.

(I have absolutely no qualifications in window fitting, but generally DIY most stuff)

See what response you get.

[bigpriest]

As above, they're just cosmetic finishing strips but sometimes they hide sloppy work and damage to plaster (watch out for extra wide strips!). They always seem to separate at strange angles, maybe warping?

[Little Lofty]

It’s hiding a huge gap by the looks of things, no different to thousands of others though. The double sided tape has failed, they should have used gap filler or even silicone over that joint.

[J6542]

They are normally super glued on and then a small bead of silicone between the trim and the frame. And a larger bead of silicone between the trim and the brickwork.

[Legmaster]

bigpriest said:

As above, they're just cosmetic finishing strips but sometimes they hide sloppy work and damage to plaster (watch out for extra wide strips!). They always seem to separate at strange angles, maybe warping?

I think the correct term is "shame strips"... For example; "Hey John, how did that window you couldn't be asked to measure properly fit?". Hey Dave, thanks for asking, it fitted perfectly, I only needed 30mm 'finishing strips' this time, normally it's the 50mm or 70mm ones..."

[bigpriest]

Legmaster said:

bigpriest said:

As above, they're just cosmetic finishing strips but sometimes they hide sloppy work and damage to plaster (watch out for extra wide strips!). They always seem to separate at strange angles, maybe warping?

I think the correct term is "shame strips"... For example; "Hey John, how did that window you couldn't be asked to measure properly fit?". Hey Dave, thanks for asking, it fitted perfectly, I only needed 30mm 'finishing strips' this time, normally it's the 50mm or 70mm ones..."

In the spirit of PistonHeads, how about "Beautification Plates"?

See also plastic shims - the nation's windows are sitting on hundreds of them.

[Patio]

Thanks all

It's siliconed to the brickwork so i will need to re-fix the strip to the window frame

I takes quite abit of pressure to press it and hold on the window frame. Will a good silicone be the best to run a bead down and press together for half an hour?

[B'stard Child]

Patio said:

Had new windows fitted about 9 months ago

The bay windows at the front have a kind of 30mm wide strip that covers the edge

Noticed today that this sticky strip is coming away and you can see the expanding foam underneath



We've emailed the guy that did them to see what he says

Not hopeful



Any input appreciated

To be honest I'd be happy they foamed up the gaps - most window fitters leave them open and stick a bit of trim on leading to noise transmission and house heat losses

I'd get some new trim - cut back any excess foam to the face of the frame run a bead of silicone to seal the foam and stop it breaking down (most foams don't tolerate sunlight exposure) and then cut and fit new trim to the silicone

When I had new windows fitted in 1997 I found out later the fitters didn't foam any of them up and because it's a pretty std MO for the salesman to measure up and then size the windows slightly undersize (because they don't like being slagged off by the fitters for an install made harder)

So I went from wooden single glazed windows with secondary glazing so UPVC SUDG and yet the noise from the street outside was noticable compared to the old set up.............. I peeled back the trim they'd fitted and none of the gaps had been foamed up........

So I did the job myself and the external noise from cars and people was massively improved.

When I extended the house I had a new window added - I asked the fitter to foam it up before trimming the edge and he said he would - that room has always had to have the rad run hotter (or more flow) and last weekend I got the ladder out and pulled of the trims - sure enough no foam and a 5mm gap all the way round covered with a trim stuck in a dot a dab method with silicone

It's now foamed up properly and the difference in sound is noticable and the room temp improved!!!!

I've now got to check the other two windows that were changed at the same time because I'm betting they both need doing properly......

[J6542]

Patio said:

Thanks all

It's siliconed to the brickwork so i will need to re-fix the strip to the window frame

I takes quite abit of pressure to press it and hold on the window frame. Will a good silicone be the best to run a bead down and press together for half an hour?

Super glue with activator that is what your supposed to use, then a small bead of silicone down between the trim and frame.

[Evolved]

Shonky window fit shocker. When I was renovating houses I saw some absolutely terrible work. The bodge jobs most window fitters do is insane. They like to give themselves plenty of wiggle room so seemingly guess openings and use knock ons, trims, foam and silicone to mask their truly shocking work. It’s not like it’s a hard job, measure an opening, check for run out and minus enough for packers. Foam and silicone. How most mess that up is beyond me.

As others have said. That strip should be mitre bonded on(activated superglue). It’ll give a nice finish and the other edge a bead of silicone. I’d pull it off, check they have fully foam filled, and refit new.